I'm debating using bio pellets with a wet dry. Opinions please

[Cowfish]

Hello everyone, I'm debating using biopellets n reactor with a wet dry filter with bio balls on a fowlr tank with heavy bio load. Fish would be an orbicular burrfish, porcupine puffer, lion fish and an eel. Puffers are messy eaters n create lots of waste. I have never used biopellets so would they help in reducing nitrates n phosphates. I would match the amount of biopellets to the size of tank I will set up for the fowlr tank. Any input is greatly appreciated as I have never used biopellets before. Any opinions, experiences, pros,cons. Thanks in advance

 

[Darryl_V]

I think biopellets would be great addition to any FOWLR setup.  If you are really concerned about algae or PO4 levels you might need a bit of GFO too as biopellets are better at removing NO3 than PO4 IME.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Had way more issued with my tank when I ran bio balls.  I honestly didn't think anyone was still using bio balls.  The only upside is they are usually $1 per garbage bag full when I see them advertised. 

 

[Cowfish]

I bought 3 brs reactors with gfo, cac and biopellets from someone getting out of the hobby. Thanks for the input. Also I'm only gonna use the bio balls cuz the work great for heavy bio loads. I've never had any issues with them even years ago when using on a reef tank aside from some nitrate but never got higher than 10ppm between water changes. I gonna use the wet dry with bio balls cuz its gonna be a bare bottom tank with only 1/2lb to 1lb live rock per gallon so with having a heavy bio load I want something that works well for the biological filter and ime bio balls work great for that application. Thanks for the response as I have no experience with gfo n biopellets. One last question, do I put the cac in with the biopellets or in a separate reactor?

 

[spyd]

Put everything in seperate reactors as they all require different flows. Bio-pellets work great! They need enough flow to tumble and just make sure they do not clump. They will definitely cut down the NO3 quite considerably and I don't think you will even need bio-balls IMO. Top up the pellets about once every 4 - 6 months when you notice the volume down some.

For GFO, rinse it really well using RO water and it just needs a slight flow. Just enough that the top of the GFO in the reactor looks like its bubbling and moving in waves. Replace once a month.

For carbon, do not let it tumble at all. Pack the reactor tight. Tumbling will cause dust to get inot your system which has been known to lead to HLLE in Tangs. Thoroughly clean and rinse in RO water before putting it in your reactor. Replace once a month.

 

[Salty Cracker]

10ppm of nitrate is insanely high, that's what I had with bio balls, and just my opinion, I think you would be far better off with maybe a larger bio pellet reactor and more pellets than bio balls.  Having run bio balls for so long then switching, I'd never go back... If you could carry that heavy load with 0ppm of nitrate, the fish would likely be better off and less problems overall, no?

 

[Darryl_V]

10ppm is not that high IMO Glen.  Fish can easily handle 10ppm.  In fact LPS and softies might appreciate a tank with 10ppm nitrate.  SPS might start to get a little ticked off at 10ppm and it would probably affect colour and growth.

Bioball are supposed to be great for the ammonia > NO2 > NO3 part of the cycle (the aerobic) but with no anaerobic areas for bacteria they often do leave the tank with NO3 problem.  Biopellets are great at the anaerobic part and dealing with NO3.  It might be a good partnership.  Although under regular load with a enough surface area (rock) in the tank, the aerobic part of the cycle is done fairly easily so bioballs would probably only be handy on a tank with a LARGE bioload and/or not enough surface area (rock) in the aquarium.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Heh maybe I'm getting picky.  I ran 10ppm consistently when my tank looked like ass, but yeah I guess the softies were pretty happy in there.  I just couldn't imagine having 10ppm now, I'd be freaking out.  Just like I think I need to sell my phosphate test and get the ppb one now, I never get it to read anything but 0.00 since I started the pellets up a year or so ago. 

Didn't someone here make a nitrate remover or some sort DIY?  I can't remember what the results were of that....I thought they were good.


(I don't like nitrate) 

 

[theyangman]

Nitrates taste good.

 

[Cowfish]

I haven't used bio balls since the early 90's. Only reason I was leaning towards bio balls is cuz the work great for handling a heavy bio load. Its not for a reef. I wouldnt even consider using bio balls on a reef cuz I'd freak if my reef hit 10ppm nitrates. Back when I stopped using bio balls was when plenums were proving to be a better alternative. N e ways thanks for the insight n how to use biopellets n gfo. This will be my first experience with them. I have not had a need to use them in my reef as I have been able to keep everything in check with my current maintenance regime. I might add to my reef as well so I can go longer between wc's n have a heavier bio load.